The NFL trade deadline came and went, with the Ravens choosing not to make any moves after head coach John Harbaugh said the organization was happy with the depth at crucial positions.
The Ravens are 6-2 and tied for the best record in the AFC ahead of a three-game homestand.
Baltimore will play six of their final nine regular-season games at M&T Bank Stadium, and the team has a handful of injured stars preparing to return.
With the stretch run looming and a matchup against the Seahawks now the priority, here are five takeaways from the lack of movement at the deadline.
Ravens went against the norm
One year ago, the Ravens traded 2023 second- and fifth-round picks, along with linebacker A.J. Klein, to the Chicago Bears for All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith. This season, Smith leads the team in tackles and is one of the best in the NFL at his position.
In 2019, the Ravens acquired cornerback Marcus Peters from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for linebacker Kenny Young and a 2020 fifth-round pick. Peters tore his ACL in 2021 and missed the season, but in 37 games with Baltimore had eight interceptions, including two for touchdowns, during the regular season.
With Baltimore standing pat, GM Eric DeCosta likes his roster, and he’s looking ahead.
Ravens have big named free agents
Baltimore could lose some big named free agents and could use the draft caiptal to help restock or retool the roster.
Justin Madubuike, Gus Edwards, Geno Stone, J.K. Dobbins and Patrick Queen are just five of the 27 potential free agents.
The Ravens have eight picks in next April’s draft, with one pick through each of the first five rounds, plus their own seventh-round pick. They also have the Jets’ seventh-rounder from the Chuck Clark trade and will likely get a compensatory fourth-round pick after left guard Ben Powers signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency in the offseason.
Ravens have key players returning
Pepe Williams and Malik Hamm are returning from injury and will make an already dynamic and stout defense that much more difficult to deal with.
The team also has mutual interest in Ndaumkong Suh and could choose to make a move their.
Ravens like their Running Backs
The NFL trade deadline came and went without the Ravens making a trade for a running back. John Harbaugh stated that he likes the room, and Baltimore will go down the stretch with Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell in the position.
Clowney and Van Noy were the moves
Another huge reason Baltimore stood pat at the trade deadline centered around two previous moves the team made earlier this summer.
Jadeveon Clowney has been outstanding as an edge rusher, while Kyle Van Noy looks rejuvenated and the pair have produced at a rate that made trading for an edge rusher obsolete.
